Roll forging machine



June 6, 1967 L. D. MERSTEK 3,323,344

ROLL FORG ING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25, 1965 r 3 Sheets-Sheet, 1

INVENTOR. LE 0 0. ME RSE K 0%,mgm

ATTORNEYS June 1967 D. MERSEK 3,323,344

ROLL FORGING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25, 1965 5 sheets sheet 5 I. I I l 5Vi52 INVENTOR.

LEO D. MERSEK A TTORNE YS United States Patent 3,323,344 ROLL FORGING MACHINE Leo D. Mersek, Richmond Heights, Ohio, assignor to The Ajax Manufacturing Company, Euclid, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Feb. 25, 1965, Ser. No. 435,310 17 Claims. (Cl. 72238) The present invention relates as indicated to a roll forging machine, and more particularly to a roll forging machine provided with full cylindrical die members.

Full cylindrical dies are widely used in the roll forging art and are particularly advantageous for relatively long passes, with the full cylinder providing the maximum forging surface for a given diameter or radius, compared, for example, to segmental or semi-cylindrical dies. The full cylindrical dies do, however, present a problem in that they must be removed from the ends of the roll shafts, as contrasted with segmental or semi-cylindrical dies which can be conveniently bolted or otherwise secured to the roll shafts and simply removed by unbolting the same and lifting the dies radially from the shafts. Thus, forging machines mounting either the segmental or the semi-cylindrical dies can be constructed with the die members mounted between massive housing sections or frames which support the roll shafts at sections thereof on either side of such dies. This arrangement is, however, not practical when employing full cylindrical dies which must be removed from the end of the shaft. As a result, full cylindrical die machine-s are commonly of the so-called outrigger design, wherein the two roll shafts project beyond the supporting housing in which they are journaled, with such projected ends removably receiving the die cylinders.

Although present outrigger arrangements do provide for accessible die replacement, they are less than satisfactory for other reasons. Initially, the adjacent or near bearings supporting the projected ends of the roll shafts are subjected to extreme loading resulting in excessive bearing wear, which permits excessive spreading of the roll shafts during the forging operation thereby adversely affecting the same. Secondly, the full cylindrical dies must be accurately mounted and locked on the shafts to produce the required forging accuracy, with such mounting, however, being such as to permit reasonably, simple and expeditious removal of the dies for replacement thereof. Present cylindrical die mounting arrangements are characterized by an inability to effect simple and quick mounting or removal of the die cylinders.

With the above in mind, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a roll forging machine mounting full cylindrical forging dies wherein the roll shafts are mounted with full bearing support at opposite sides of the cylindrical dies to uniformly distribute the load the forging dies are subjected to during the forging operation, thereby maintaining forging accuracy and reducing excessive bearing wear.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a roll shaft mounting of the type referred to which simultaneously is constructed and arranged to permit ready removal and replacement of the full cylindrical roll dies.

A further, more specific object of the present invention is to provide a roll forging machine having an outboard bearing housing spaced from the main housing sections of the machine and adapted to provide bearing support for the ends of the roll shafts which project therebeyond. In accordance with the present invention, such outboard bearing housing is constructed and arranged for pivotal movement between a position accurately rotatably supporting the roll shafts to a position away from the ends of the roll shafts to expose the same to permit changing of the roll dies.

3,323,344 Patented June 6, 1967 A still further object of the present invention is to provide such an outboard bearing housing which can be quickly and accurately returned to its operative position providing bearing support for the ends of the roll shafts, and which can be retained in such operative position to provide precise, parallel alignment of the vertically spaced roll shafts.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the roll forging machine of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged end view of the machine, taken in the direction indicated by line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view, partly in section, showing in detail the manner in which the roll shafts and cylindrical roll dies are supported in the outboard bearing housing, and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a slightly modified form of means for removably supporting the roll shaft ends in the outboard bearing housing,

Referring now in more detail to the drawings, wherein like parts are indicated by like reference numerals, and initially to FIG. 1, the roll forging machine incorporating the present invention is generally indicated at 10. The machine includes a massive frame including a base 11 and a main housing section generally indicated at 12 which includes bearing support stands 13 and 14. The stands 13 and 14 are adapted to provide bearing support for the top and bottom roll shafts at axially spaced areas thereof in a manner well known in the art.

In the form shown the roll shafts are driven by means of an electric motor 15 mounted on top of the; housing 12, with the motor driving a flywheel 16 by means of belt 17. The flywheel shaft 18 is drivingly connected through a system of gears (not shown) for synchronously driving the top and bottom roll shafts. A louvered access door 19 is provided at one or both sides of the housing 12 for access to the housing interior for maintenance and the like. A metal housing 191: is provided to enclose the flywheel and drive therefor. The machine thus far described is of conventional construction and a more detailed description of the various described components of the machine is not believed necessary for full understanding of the present improvements.

The ends of the top and bottom roll shafts 20 and 21 project outwardly beyond the main housing and are adapted to mount cylindrical roll dies 22 and 23, respectively. The latter are shown generally diagrammatically in the application drawings, and it will be understood that the same are formed with passes for effecting forging of the work stock.

The extreme outer ends of the roll shafts 20 and 21 are supported in an outboard bearing housing or end frame generally indicated at .24. The housing is provided with laterally directed flanges or shoulders commonly designated at 26 at the base thereof through which holddown bolts 27 extend into threaded engagement with tapped openings formed in a pedestal portion 28 of the base 11 of the machine frame. In the form shown three such hold-down bolts 27 are provided and when removed condition the outboard bearing housing 24 for swinging movement permitting die replacement.

Referring to FIG. 2, the outboard bearing housing 24 is provided with lateral mounting flanges 29 and 36 at one side thereof. The flange 29 is adapted to overlie and be supported by the top arm 31 of a housing extension 32 preferably integrally connected at its lower end to the pedestal section 28 of base llrThe lower flange 30 is adapted to contact the pedestal section of the base for support thereby.

Upper and lower pivot pins 33 and 34, respectively, pivotally interconnect the flanges 29 and 30 with the stationary housing extension 32. Referring to the upper pivotal connection, the pivot pin 33 comprises an enlarged portion 35 mounted in an opening in the arm 31, and an upper relatively reduced section 36 which extends through an opening formed in the flange 29. The pivot pin 33 is provided with a bottom, laterally extending annular flange 37 which is received in an enlarged recess 38 formed in the arm 31. A series of Belleville spring washers generally indicated at 39 are disposed in the recess 38 below the flange 37, with a retaining plate 40 being mounted on the arm 31 by bolts 41 to complete the assembly. The mounting flange .29 is formed with a recess 42 for receiving an anti-friction bearing 43. A cap screw 44 is threadedly received in a tapped opening in the upper end of the reduced portion 36 of the pin 33 and, together with washer 45, mounts the upper end of such pin.

The lower flange 30 of the outboard bearing housing 24 is similarly recessed as shown at 46 for receiving an anti-friction bearing 47. A top retaining plate 48 is provided and secured to the flange 30 by bolts 49. The bottom of the pin 34 is rotatably received in an opening provided therefor in the frame.

When the hold-down bolts 27 are loosened prior to removal, the Belleville spring washers 39 function to raise the entire housing 24 from the frame, with the degree of such movement being controlled by the force of the Belleville springs and the flange 37, which contacts the bottom of the recess 38 under the bias of the washers. The housing when raised is supported by the anti-friction bearings, whereby the effort required to swing the outboard bearing housing 24 about the vertical axis through the pivot pins 33 and 34 is effectively minimized and the housing can be easily swung by a single operator. The hold-down bolts 27 must of course be completely removed before such swinging of the housing.

To automatically align the bearing support housing 24 when the same has been returned to its operative position, the pedestal 28 of the base 11 is formed with a precision stop portion 50, FIGS. 1 and 3, against which the adjacent flange 26 of the housing 24 abuts when the latter is swung to its closed position. A machined washer 51 is received in a circular recess 51a formed in the pedestal of the base and is carried by a clamp screw 52 which extends into threaded engagement in a tapped opening in the pedestal. When the washer 51 is rotated to its FIG. 2 position, a portion thereof extends above the bottom of the housing 24 thereby to prevent pivotal movement thereof away from its closed, operative position. Following clamping of the washer 51 in such position, the holddown bolts can be replaced and tightened to firmly mount the housing 24 in accurately aligned position. The washer 51 is provided with a flat edge 53 which, when the washer 51 is rotated approximately 180 from its FIG. 2 position, is disposed slightly below the bottom of the housing 24 thereby to permit pivotal movement thereof upon the removal of the hold-down bolts.

Referring to FIG. 3, the bottom roll shaft 21 includes a tapered section 55, an adjacent, partially tapered section 56 and an end section 57. It will be understood that the top roll shaft 2% is similarly constructed and a separate, detailed description thereof is not believed necessary.

The roll die 23 has a smooth cylindrical bore 58 adapted to slidingly receive the outer cylindrical surface of a split die sleeve 59 similar to the type disclosed in Ross U.S. Patent 2,899,222. A sunken key 60 is mounted on the roll shaft section 55 by cap screw 61 and is adapted to extend through a slot formed in the split sleeve 59 (as shown at S in the sleeve 59 around the top roll shaft 24)) into a keyway (not shown) formed in the bore wall of the roll die 23, all as shown and described in the above-mentioned Ross patent. The roll dies 22 and 23 are thus drivingly connected to the roll shafts 20 and 21, respectively.

The sleeve 59 has a tapered internal bore 62 complementary to the taper of the axial section 55 of the roll shaft, with the split construction of the sleeve providing a degree of axial adjustment of the sleeve relative to the roll shaft.

The sleeve 59 is formed with a laterally extending annular flange 63 at its outer end adapted to contact the front face of the die 23. A plurality of radial openings commonly designated at 64 are formed in the flange 63 and are adapted to receive pins commonly designated at 65 which are inserted to effect axial movement of the sleeve 59 at the beginning of the die changing operation, as will be presently described. The radially inner end of the pins 65 extend through aligned openings 66 formed in a cylindrical die spacer sleeve 67, the latter being mounted on the sections 56 and 57 of the roll shaft and extending outwardly from the latter. The inner end 68 of the spacer sleeve 67 is internally outwardly tapered thus to provide a degree of axial shifting of the spacer sleeve 67 without interfering with the adjacent end of the tapered section 55 of the roll shaft.

The outer end of the spacer sleeve 67 is provided with a number of tapped holes commonly designated at 69 for receiving cap screws 70 which pass through openings in a retainer cap 71 for securing these members in assembled relation. The cap 71 has a smooth cylindrical central opening 72 through which extends a clamp screw member generally indicated at 73. The clamp screw is threaded as indicated at 74 along a substantial axial length thereof and preferably bronze washers commonly designated at 75 are disposed on either side of the retainer cap around the screw shank. The clamp screw 73 is formed or provided with a hexagonal head 76 and is further formed with a preferably square extreme outer end portion 77 adapted to receive a crank handle or the like for expeditious turning of the clamp screw.

The outer sections 56 and 57 of the roll shaft are axially irregularly bored as indicated at 78 and an intermediate section 79 thereof is threaded to receive the threaded portion 74 of the clamp screw. The bore 78 is countersunk as indicated at 80 for receiving a collar 81 preferably abutting the adjacent washer 75 and being pinned to the clamp screw by pin 82 for rotation therewith.

As shown in dotted lines on the top roll shaft 20, the outer ends of the roll shafts are provided with sunken keys 83 which are adapted to extend into keyways formed in the respective spacer sleeves 67 thereby to accurately axially align the spacer sleeves 67 with the roll supporting sleeves 59. In this manner, the openings 64 and 66 formed in the respective sleeves 59 and 67 can be accurately aligned for receiving the pins 65.

The outboard bearing housing 24 is formed with cylindrical openings 84 for receiving the top and bottom roll shafts, and preferably bronze bearing sleeves 85 are mounted in the openings 84 for rotatively mounting the roll shaft ends.

Referring now to the manner in which the top and bottom roll dies are changed, assuming the rolls are in their operative, FIGS. 1-3 position, the pins 65 are inserted in the aligned openings 64 and 66 in the respective sleeve members 59 and 67. The clamp screw 73 is then loosened or backed off by means of a suitable wrench until the roll die 23 is loose on the die supporting sleeve 59. One turn of the clamp screw will normally be suflicient to loosen such mounting. The pins 65 are then removed and the spacer sleeve 67 moved outwardly, or to the right as viewed in FIG. 3, through a continued loosening or backing off of the clamp screw 73. To expedite such backing ofl, a crank or similar tool is normally received by the outer square end portion 77 of the die screw member 73. The screw member 73 is backed off until it actually disengages the threads 79 formed in the bore 78 of the roll shaft at which time the spacer sleeve 67 and screw member can be simply removed, the removal of the sleeve 67 providing clearance for the pivotal movement of the outboard bearing housing.

The clamping screw 52 at the base 11 of the frame is then loosened and the washer 51 rotated approximately 180 until the flat portion 53 thereof is disposed slightly below the bottom of the outboard bearing housing 24. The hold-down bolts 27 are then removed to permit the pivotal movement of the outboard bearing housing. As above noted, as the hold-down bolts 27 are loosened, the entire outboard bearing housing 24 is raised by the Belleville spring washers 39 so that the housing is supported by the anti-friction bearings 43 and 47. When the holddown bolts 27 have been removed, the housing 24 can be pivoted by a single operator about the pivot pins 33 and 34 to a position to permit removal of the roll dies 22 and 23. The dies, and the roll supporting sleeves, can then be removed by any suitable means, for example by a suitable sling or the like.

To assemble new roll dies on the roll shafts, essentially the reverse procedure is followed. The roll dies and supporting sleeves are disposed over the tapered sections 55 of the respective roll shafts. The outboard bearing housing, still supported by the anti-fraction bearings 43 and 47, is then swung to a closed position in which the leading face of the flange 26 of the housing contacts the stop 50 formed in the frame base. The washer 51 is then rotated 180 to a retaining position and the clamp screw 52 tightened thereby to maintain the outboard bearing housing in its closed position. The hold-down bolts 27 are then inserted and tightened to rigidly mount the housing 24 to the machine frame. The tightening of the clamp bolts 27 of course lowers the entire housing 24, simultaneously compressing the Belleville spring washers 39.

The spacer sleeve 67 is then reassembled by engaging the clamping screw 73 with the threads 79 in the shaft bore and thereafter tightening the screw to move the sleeve 67 inwardly, or to the left as viewed in FIG. 3. The clamping screw 73 is turned until the leading edge of the spacer sleeve 67 tightly contacts the roll supporting sleeve 59 in which position the roll die 23 is firmly locked in operative position. The top roll die 22 is removed and replaced in exactly the same manner.

The top roll shaft 20 is vertically adjustable by means not shown to vary the spacing between such shaft and the bottom roll shaft 21. It is of course essential that the top and bottom roll shafts be in parallelism at all times, and accordingly an interlock control (not shown) is preferably provided which permits adjustment vertically of the top roll shaft 20 only when all of the bearing supports are in alignment. This would include the bearing support provided by the stands 13 and 14 of the main housing and by the outboard bearing support 24.

In accordance with the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4, it is possible to swing the outboard bearing housing 24 to a position to permit changing of the roll dies without completely removing the die spacer sleeve 67.

In the FIG. 4 form, the same components as above described in the FIGS. 1- form have been indicated by the same reference numerals with an attached prime. In FIG. 4, the bore 78 formed in the outer end of the roll shaft 21' is relatively longer, as is the threaded section 74 of the clamp screw 73. Additionally, the collar 81 is pinned to the threaded section 74' by pin 82' so as to provide a gap 90 of some-what greater width than the thickness of the adjacent washer 75'. As a result, when the clamp screw 73' is loosened or backed 01f, in the initial stages of the die removal operation, there is a period of lost motion before the inner washer 75' engages the retainer cap 71. Thus, the washer 75', moved by the collar 81, must travel the width of the gap before the retainer cap 71 is engaged by the washer, at which time further backing ofi? of the screw- 73 will of course carry with it the retaining cap 71' and the spacer sleeve 67 connected thereto.

The length of the threaded section 74' of the clamp screw 73 is such that the spacer sleeve 67 is moved to an extended, dashed line position when the threaded section 74' becomes disengaged with the threads 79' formed in the shaft bore 78'. The spacer sleeve 67 is thus freed from the roll shaft 21' and the trailing end of the spacer sleeve 67' is sufficiently close to the roll shaft end to clear the same when the housing 24' is swung to a position exposing the roll shaft ends for removal of the roll dies. The roll dies can thus be replaced without completely removing the die spacer sleeves, a desirable arrangement in view of the size and weight of the same.

When the roll dies have been changed in the manner above described, the housing 24 is moved to a closed position and locked. The clam-p screw 73' is then rotated in engagement with the threads 79' and advanced axially until washer 75 engages the retainer cap 71. Additional rotation of the clamp screw 73' axially advances the sleeve 67' until the leading edge thereof tightly engages the flange 63' of the roll support sleeve 59'. In the initial stages of rotation of the clamp screw 73', the collar 81' and washer 75' disposed adjacent thereby will rotate relative to the retainer cap 71' to re-establish the gap 9% The retainer cap 71 will not be advanced by the clamp screw 73 until the outer washer 75 engages the same. In the backing off of the clamping screw 73' as above described, a gap will of course form between the outer washer 75' and the cap 71' by virtue of the lost motion described.

It will thus be seen that the present invention provides distinct advantages over existing outrigger designs. The outboard bearing support 24 provides an accurate bearing support for the outer end of the roll shafts thereby more uniformly distributing the forging loads to both adjacent bearings. This arrangement not only maintains accurate forging over relatively long periods of time, but substantially decreases bearing wear and consequent replacement. The housing 24, which is relatively massive, is mounted in a novel manner for relatively easy pivotal or swinging movement to expose the roll shaft ends for removal and replacement of the roll dies. In one form of the invention, the spacing sleeve mounted within an opening in the outboard bearing housing actually remains with and is carried by the latter during pivotal movement thereof thereby further expediting and simplifying the roll die changing operation. Aligning means are provided to precisely align and secure the outboard bearing housing when moved to an operative position.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of such be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A roll forging machine comprising a main housing, a pair of spaced roll shafts projecting from said housing, means for removably mounting a roll die member on each of said roll shafts, outboard bearing housing means outwardly of said roll die members and providing bearing support for the ends of the projecting roll shafts, and means for mounting said outboard bearing housing means for movement from an operative position supporting said roll shafts to a removed position exposing said roll shaft ends to permit changing of said roll die members.

2. A roll forging machine comprising a main housing, a pair of spaced roll shafts projecting from said housing, means for r-emovably mounting a cylindrical roll die member on each of said roll shafts, outboard bearing housing means outwardly of said roll die members and providing bearing support for the ends of the projecting roll shafts,

and means for pivotally mounting said outboard bearing housing means for swinging movement from an operative position supporting said roll shafts to a pivoted position away from said roll shaft ends to permit changing of said roll die members.

3. The combination of claim 2 further including means for slightly raising and supporting said outboard bearing housing means for relatively friction-free pivotal movement thereof.

4. The combination of claim 2 further including means for precisely aligning and mounting said outboard bearing housing means when the same is swung to an operative position accurately receiving and supporting said roll shaft ends.

5. A roll forging machine comprising a main housing, a pair of spaced roll shafts projecting from said housing, sleeve means disposed over the projected end of each of said shafts for supporting co-operable roll die members, means for releasably locking said roll die members on said sleeve means for rotation with said shafts, an outboard bearing housing outwardly of said roll die members and providing bearing support for the respective ends of the projecting roll shafts, and means for mounting said outboard bearing housing for movement from an operative position supporting said roll shafts to a removed position exposing said roll shaft ends to permit changing of said roll die members.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said sleeve means comprises a first sleeve disposed around said roll shaft and mounting said roll die, and a second, separate sleeve mounted over the extreme outer end of said roll shaft, and means for selectively coupling said first and second sleeves for simultaneous axial movement thereof.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said means for coupling said sleeves comprises .pin means adapted for insertion into radially aligned openings formed in said first and second sleeve whereby axial outward movement of said second sleeve carries said first sleeve thereby to loosen the mounting of said roll die member on said first sleeve.

8. The combination of claim 7 further including key means for circumferentially aligning said first and second sleeves on said roll shaft to automatically effect the radial alignment of said openings adapted to receive said pins.

9. A roll forging machine comprising a main housing, a pair of spaced roll shafts projecting from said housing, a first sleeve disposed over the projected end of each of said shafts, said first sleeve being adapted to support a cylindrical die member, a second, separate sleeve mounted on each of said roll shafts axialy outwardly of said first sleeve, means for selectively coupling said first and second sleeves for simultaneous axial movement, clamping screw means adapted to engage a threaded, axial opening formed in each of said roll shafts, means operatively connecting said clamping screw means and said second sleeve for movement of the latter in response to rotation of the former, an outboard bearing housing outwardly of said roll dies and providing bearing support for the projected ends of said roll shafts and said second sleeves disposed therearound, and means for mounting said outboard bearing housing for movement from an operative position supporting said roll shafts to a removed position exposing said roll shaft ends to permit changing of said roll die members.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said operative connection between said clamping screw and said sleeve comprises a retainer cap rotatably mounted on said clamping screw and secured to said second sleeve, and means carried by said clamping screw engaging opposed sides of said retainer cap whereby axial movement of said clamping screw carries said retainer cap and thus said second sleeve secured thereto.

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein the operative connection between said clamping screw and said retainer cap provides for lost motion during the initial stages of axial movement of said clamping screw relative to said retainer cap, such arrangement permitting disengagement of said clamping screw from the threaded opening formed in the outer end of said roll shaft while said second sleeve remains within said outboard bearing housing whereby said second sleeve is carried by said housing during movement thereof.

12. A roll forging machine comprising a main housing, a roll shaft projecting from said main housing, a first sleeve disposed over the projected end of said shafts, said first sleeve being adapted to support a cylindrical die member, a second, separate sleeve mounted on said roll shaft axially outwardly of said first sleeve, means for selectively coupling said first and second sleeves for simultaneous axial movement, means for axially moving said second sleeve, an outboard bearing housing outwardly of said roll dies and providing bearing support for the projected end of said roll shaft and said second sleeve disposed therearound, means for mounting said outboard bearing housing for swinging movement from an operative position supporting said roll shaft to an inoperative position exposing said roll shaft end to permit changing of said cylindrical die member, said means for axially moving said second sleeve being constructed and arranged to permit swinging movement of said outboard bearing housing while said second sleeve remains therewithin and is thus carried thereby.

13. A roll forging machine comprising a main housing, a roll shaft projecting from said main housing, means for removably supporting a cylindrical die member on said said roll shaft for rotation therewith, sleeve means mounted on said roll shaft axially outwardly of said cylindrical die member, means for moving said sleeve means axially relative to said roll shaft, an outboard bearing housing outwardly of said cylindrical die and providing bearing support for the projected end of said roll shaft and said sleeve means disposed therearound, means for mounting said outboard bearing housing for swinging movement from an operative position supporting said roll shaft to an inoperative position exposing said roll shaft end to permit changing of said roll die members, said means for moving said sleeve means being constructed and arranged to permit swinging movement of said outboard bearing housing while said sleeve means remains therewithin and is carried thereby.

14. In a roll forging machine comprising a base, two spaced stands rigidly mounted on said base, and two parallel shafts journalled in said stands and having adjacent end portions projecting substantially beyond one said stand, said projecting end portions being adapted to support roll forging dies removably mounted thereon; an outboard bearing housing supported on the same said base, hearings in said housing adapted to receive and journal said respective shaft end portions beyond such dies, means mounting said housing for swinging movement about a laterally offset vertical axis, cylindrical sleeves between said bearings and shaft end portions, means for axially withdrawing said sleeves in said housing sufiiciently to permit such swinging movement away from said shaft end portions, and means for securing said housing in precise aligned position with said shafts on said base.

15. The machine of claim 14, wherein screw means is provided engaging each said shaft end operable upon rotation axially to shift the respective said sleeve relative to said shaft and outboard housing.

16. The machine of claim 14, wherein screw means is provided engaging each said shaft end operable upon rotation axially to shift the respective said sleeve relative to said shaft and outboard housing, a sleeve for seating such die is mounted on each said shaft, and means is provided for temporarily interconnecting said latter sleeve and the adjacent said sleeve Within the housing for simultaneous axial movement of the same, the shaft portion carrying said sleeve for seating such die being tapered to a 9 10 permit loosening of said sleeve thereon when thus axially meeting said sleeves for axial movement together, and outwardly shifted. means for shifting said sleeve on the end portion of said 17. A roll forging machine having a roll shaft, a sleeve h ft mounted on a tapered portion of said shaft and adapted N f ces it d to carry a roll forging die, a sleeve seated on an adjacent 5 end portion of said shaft, means for releasably intercon- WILLIAM W. DYER, 111., Primary Examiner. 

1. A ROLL FORGING MACHINE COMPRISING A MAIN HOUSING, A PAIR OF SPACED ROLL SHAFTS PROJECTING FROM SAID HOUSING, MEANS FOR REMOVABLY MOUNTING A ROLL DIE MEMBER ON EACH OF SAID ROLL SHAFTS, OUTBOARD BEARING HOUSING MEANS OUTWARDLY OF SAID ROLL DIE MEMBERS AND PROVIDING BEARING SUPPORT FOR THE ENDS OF THE PROJECTING ROLL SHAFTS, AND MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID OUTBOARD BEARING HOUSING MEANS FOR MOVEMENT FROM AN OPERATIVE POSITION SUPPORTING SAID ROLL SHAFTS TO A REMOVED POSITION EXPOSING SAID ROLL SHAFT ENDS TO PERMIT CHANGING OF SAID ROLL DIE MEMBERS. 